So Great a Cause

Brother Joseph Smith and Father Benjamin Steed have left the metaphorical building. The narration now turns its attention to Joshua Steed, oldest sibling and rightful next-in-line to take his father's place as head of the clan, except for one problem, he's not a baptized member of the church. A minor inconvenience which will be rectified by the end of this installment. Then maybe we can get on with the exodus to Zion.

Like the previous volume, family group charts have expanded to include Peter and Kathryn while Will and Alice are still listed under Joshua & Caroline. Jessica has her own.

This volume covers the shortest amount of time in church history, four months.
Start- February 1846
End-  June 1846

Chapter 1- Nathan reflects on the miracle of the cold snap that froze the river and allowed safe passage and escape for so many saints on the mass exodus west. Father Steed’s tragic death is still fresh on everyone’s mind as they sit around a campfire and share the latest news. Peter and Kathryn will meet up with the family somewhere along the trail. Will and Alice have departed New York and are on their way to Zion, according to the latest report. Back in Nauvoo, Melissa visits Caroline and both women share the grief of Father Steed's passing.

Chapter 2- Brigham Young swallows his impatience with the saints agonizing slowness in getting themselves organized and on the move to Zion. Somewhere in the Atlantic, Will plays a harmless prank on Alice about seeing the equator on the water while looking through the telescope. Spunky Alice is a good sport and vows she’ll find a way to get even.

Chapter 3- Still headstrong and determined to follow the prophet, Savannah packs up her little red wagon with her most prized possessions to trade for necessities her family will need when they eventually join the rest of the saints on the trail. Emma Smith soberly hears Savannah’s bartering just as Caroline finds her. Emma intervenes in behalf of Savannah and Caroline realizes her child’s faith shouldn't be discouraged. Back on the trail, Mary Ann tells Nathan about The Dream (first mentioned in Vol. 5). The Nauvoo Brass Band plays for the camp that night. Peter and Kathryn have been hired by the Reeds and are helping with preparations to leave with the Donner party.

Chapter 4- The saints continue to inch along in axle deep mud on the prairie trails and the Steeds are suffering along with everyone else but try to stay positive. Since they are only encamped thirty miles from their starting point, Nathan decides to make a quick trip back to Nauvoo in hopes of persuading the delinquent members: Melissa, Carl and Caroline to come back with him as he can’t shake the impression of the importance of the entire clan staying together.

Chapter 5- Nathan visits with Brother Brigham who confides feeling like “the nanny” with all the saints coming to him with their petty conflicts and difficulties expecting the prophet and leader of the church to solve all their problems, but never mind that now. What’s on your mind, Nathan? Nathan is seeking counsel in his dilemma to go back for Joshua’s family without stirring up contention. He returns to camp to announce he’s going back and, to his surprise, Joshua agrees the family needs to stay together and will accompany Nathan. Derek will go too.

Chapter 6- Joshua, Nathan and Derek surprise Caroline and the kids at the family store. Savannah is ecstatic that her faith paid off and her trading efforts for needed supplies weren't in vain. She plays “Olivia’s Song” on the piano, one last time, unaware her misty eyed parents are listening. Joshua continues to suffer agonies of guilt over the death of his step-daughter. On the road back, they come across a Mormon family who have decided to call it quits and strike up the deal of a lifetime with them: they will trade the deed to one of the grandest homes in Nauvoo and their slightly worn wagon with the broken tongue for this family’s newer, completely outfitted, wagon and team. Savannah adds that the house also comes with a lovely piano which sells the deal. Joshua is astonished at the hand of the Lord helping his family find the means for them to travel to Zion.

Chapter 7- With everyone together, traveling with the main company, progress continues to be slow and frustrating due to all the rain. Nathan’s family huddles in their tent one night, unable to sleep because rain is seeping in. Lydia creates the “mur-mur-mur” game to raise their spirits and the children love it. A week passes and warm weather provides an opportunity for the company to rest and dry everything out. Since all the women are suffering from “cabin fever” and all the men have gone to help round up scattered stock on the prairie, Joshua volunteers to air out the entire clan’s bedding all by himself so the women can go visiting. Joshua is in Nathan’s tent when he comes across Lydia’s coffee ground stained Book of Mormon (the one Nathan gave her back in Vol.1). He opens it and casually reads a passage which both troubles and intrigues him before remembering himself and slamming the book shut. But the spirit is working on him. He pockets the book, intending to return it later. Meanwhile, the women enjoy fresh baked bread and hear Eliza Snow’s (Zion’s Poetess) most recent composition.

Chapter 8- Mary Ann talks to Joshua about the gospel and all the blessings it’s brought the clan, including his own family unit which Joshua can’t deny. Lydia shares Melissa’s most recent letter telling the inspiring story of widowed sisters Mary and Mercy who are determined to join the saints traveling west despite criticism and opposition by their late in-laws' family who want them to stay in Nauvoo. It rains again that night and Lydia wonders where she misplaced her Book of Mormon. She’s also worried what might happen if she dies in childbirth during the journey but Nathan reassures her.

Chapter 9- It is now March, 1846. Another rainy day chapter, with the entire camp halted, Brigham Young calls on the tent of Matthew and Jenny. He needs Matthew to take a letter to the leader of the advance scouting party who refuses to slow down, prepare the trail for the mass numbers to follow and obey the orders of his prophet and commander in chief. On the ship, Alice writes in her journal about their progress while in Springfield, Illinois, Peter and Katheryn are getting excited about the official day of departure with the Donner/Reed party.

Chapter 10- Back from his errand, Brigham is chatting with Matthew again. He has a special family he wants him to meet. Matthew gets Joshua and Caroline to join them. The Hendricks family, (a true story) are great examples of faith as the father was paralyzed from a gunshot wound during the Far West mob attacks in 1838 leaving the wife and oldest son to simultaneously care for him, a paraplegic, and the rest of the children. No one is bitter and the father is making a slow, miraculous, recovery on a journey they shouldn't even be making but they are determined to keep the faith in their great sacrifice to follow the prophet. The Hendricks family is just one of the many examples of those blessed, honored pioneers we celebrate every July.

Chapter 11- Joshua is late returning from chopping wood in a nearby grove of trees. Nathan finds him, unawares; intent on reading a book which he quickly hides after Nathan discreetly makes his presence known and doesn't press him for details. Lydia gives birth to a baby girl. Brigham Young calls on the family and teases the children for not naming the baby after its birthplace, (a common fad among the pioneers) in this case, Locust Creek. They could call her Loki, (since Marvel comics are still 100 years off!) but the children just groan at the lame joke. Later, Brigham calls a special meeting to announce his decision to wait until next season to travel west. They will winter in a yet-to-be-determined camp while advance companies will go and prepare the way. It is now April 1846.

Chapter 12- The Donner-Reed Party is moving out and everyone is wild with excitement as the entire town gives them a marvelous send-off. Back in Nauvoo, Carl and Melissa stop to visit with Wilford Woodruff (future prophet of the church) and his wife outside the temple to discuss the continuing evacuation of the remaining saints from the growing danger. Carl and Melissa refuse the invitation to join in leaving with the saints due to their continuing struggle with the polygamy issue.

Chapter 13- Fire on the prairie! A pleasant nooning is interrupted by a column of smoke in the distance. The Steeds scramble with the rest of the company to construct a fire line and battle the blaze with burlap sacks and any water they can find. Savannah attempts to help and is nearly burned alive but Joshua stamps out her dress and orders her back to the wagon. The danger passes, the fire blows itself out and nothing is lost. That night, Brigham calls on the Steed camp along with a man named William Clayton who just finished composing a new hymn many readers will immediately recognize as “Come Come Ye Saints.”

Chapter 14- Rachel has decided to begin keeping a journal. Today is April 18, 1846. Her entries are taken from many real-life pioneer journals who describe life and diet on the trail: lots of bread, flour and milk recipes (as fresh fruit and vegetables were hard to come by). Back in Nauvoo, Wilford Woodruff calls on Melissa, admonishing her to come back into church activity reminding her of what her dead father would say if he could see her now. A thoroughly chastised Melissa promises to make an effort to attend tomorrow’s temple dedication ceremony. She shares her feelings with Carl who gives his consent for her to go.

Chapter 15- Joshua joins a group of men to help rescue a family whose wagon got stuck in the mud out on the prairie. One of the men is the great-great grandfather of a future prophet for whom he was named, Ezra T. Benson. Brother Benson shares with Joshua the story of how he was blessed with a large wagon-load of flour for his family which Brigham made him distribute and share with the rest of the company. Brother Benson did this without complaint in obedience to the law of sacrifice and consecration. The fact he was also a good and faithful man in the gospel might also have something to do with it!

Chapter 16- Morale on the ship is low but Will and Alice make the most of what they have, along with the rest of the saints. Will teases Alice, who has recently confided her pregnancy to her hubby, about the baby being a boy or girl depending on her moods and appetite. They’ll be stopping soon to resupply in Chile and Will, who remembers his return journey from China, tells her about the wonderful paradise their next stop promises to be. A storm blows them off course and they end up on Robinson Crusoe Island instead.

Chapter 17- Rachel makes more journal entries. Melissa tells Carl she really wants to join her family out on the trail west and away from this city of sin and corruption with the recent influx of non-Mormons. Will and Alice rejoice in the unexpected blessings of acquiring cheaper water and food on the island (free) as opposed to the prices the other port would've charged them. The Donner/Reed party joins up with another smaller company in Independence, Missouri. Peter reports to Kathryn he just learned Brigham and the rest of the company are still encamped back east and they are now ahead.

Chapter 18- More journal entries from Rachel who turned fourteen earlier in January; it is now May 1846. A family meeting is about to be held to discuss who will travel with advance parties and which family members will stay behind. Brigham Young will be attending to add any additional counsel as needed. Afterwards, Mary Ann and Joshua talk about his persistent guilt over Olivia's death. Mary Ann reveals her mother’s intuition, she knows Joshua has Lydia’s B of M and gently suggests her son pray and discover the truth for himself. Next day, Joshua confesses to Lydia about her missing book. She is glad and tells him to keep it as long as he needs and to keep reading, studying, pondering and praying. She reminds Joshua how much he’s changed since his days as an anti-Mormon agenda leader. Chapter ends with a brief history narrative of the recent 1846 land acquirements by the United States, including the Louisiana Purchase which allowed the Manifest Destiny and “sea to shining sea” future visions to come to pass. Now, war has been declared with Mexico...

Chapter 19- Parley P. Pratt rides triumphantly back to camp announcing he’s found the perfect stopping place for the coming summer season. Joshua confesses to Nathan he’s reading the Book of Mormon but please, don’t push him (and please don’t alert the family by posting this on Facebook either!) and keep it confidential because he has some questions for him. Nathan is a good missionary; he explains the atonement, mercy and justice to his brother. He’s about to get into the finer details of restoration and redemption when Parley’s announcement arrives in camp. Men are being called to go prepare that area for the rest of the company. Nathan and Joshua will be going. Back in the dying city of Nauvoo, the Steed Family store isn't doing much business. Melissa impulsively decides to take the children and cross the river to visit Benjamin’s grave. While the kids play nearby, she quietly confesses to her Pa that she’s decided to come back into church activity.

Chapter 20- Joshua and Nathan are alone, splitting rails, which gives them the perfect opportunity to have another missionary discussion. Today, Joshua wants to delve deeper into the subject of divine mercy and grace, why God doesn't punish us immediately for sins of commission. Nathan reminds him of his own disciplinary techniques he and Caroline use with their children. You can’t force a child to be good and God is the same way. We all have our agency. Meanwhile, the Donner/Reed party is making good time to California.

Chapter 21- Out on the Pacific, the ship will make one last stop in Hawaii before its final destination in California. Back in Iowa, Nathan notes the irony of newly arriving saints who made the journey from Nauvoo to Brigham's camp in three weeks as opposed to the three months it took them. This was a blessing in disguise as it forced the saints to stay together. Joshua goes out hunting by himself and kills a deer. As he ponders the existence of every living thing having a mortal body and spirit and the separation of the two caused by death, Joshua is suddenly driven to his knees to pray for the first time in twenty years. No significant revelation but he realizes he’s more at peace now over where Olivia and his father’s spirits went after they died. The next day is Sunday. Joshua attends the camp worship services, takes Nathan aside and tells him what happened.

Chapter 22- Nathan continues his mercy and justice talks with Joshua a few days later. The subjects of Mormon Heaven (being with your family for all eternity) as opposed to Mormon Hell (no family) is also discussed. Joshua admits he loves the idea of marriage and eternal family units. The rest of the Steeds arrive in the newly prepared camp and they have a nice reunion. Nathan reports to Mary Ann his missionary discussions with Joshua are progressing nicely.

Chapter 23- Joshua takes Caroline for a walk and confesses everything to her: he’s reading the B of M, praying about it and talking to Nathan. Caroline is overjoyed. She promises, even if Joshua doesn't join, she’ll still love him and she won’t tell the rest of the clan who have been fasting and praying for this very thing for over a year now. They kiss and make out like newlyweds. Jessica and Solomon have a quick scene: their family was assigned to remain behind in the last camp to plant crops for the coming exodus; they look forward to finishing up and joining the rest of the clan soon. Peter and Kathryn are currently encamped somewhere in present-day Kansas where a prominent company matriarch just passed away. There is also a less active Mormon widow in their company whom they plan to seek out. Kathryn can now walk without the aid of crutches. She and Peter hug and cry over this miracle. Miles away in Washington D.C., President James Polk meets with a small emissary of Mormon men asking for aid in their mass exodus but the President admits he’s more interested in acquiring male army recruits to fight Mexico. The Mormons will be compensated if they agree to enlist.

Chapter 24- There are rumors of a vanguard company going early across the plains and more mission calls but the Steeds aren't affected by either. Joshua and Caroline retire to bed one evening and talk about deathbed repentance. Caroline points out wickedness never was happiness and isn't Joshua much happier now than he was before they met? Joshua admits she’s right and Caroline tells him it’s time to take the next step in his investigation and find out if everything he's learned so far is true.

Chapter 25- A large group of Indians block the progress of Brigham Young and the saints who wish to cross their land in peace. The chief grants them passage and there’s a rather gratuitous Caddie Woodlawn scene as Savannah, with her flaming red hair, is the focus of attention by the natives who look upon these white settlers in almost reverent awe. Savannah presents one little Indian girl with her best doll. In return, the Mom and Dad Indian give Savannah an Indian name in their halting English because colonialism doesn't exist in Lund's world of white supremacy. The saints make camp that night and morale is high with music and dancing. Brigham walks with Joshua and Caroline. He’s become aware of Joshua’s investigation of the church and tells him, outright, he needs to be baptized.

Chapter 26- For the umpteenth time, everyone keeps reminding Joshua how much he’s changed over the last few years. Gone is the old, bitter, angry Joshua whose heart grew three sizes the day he became a family man and reconciled himself with his membership in the Steed clan. It’s just too much of a fairy tale for Joshua to believe he can repent and find forgiveness so easily when he’s so unworthy and so much injustice remains in the world. Back in Nauvoo, Carl is talking with the recent arrivals of non-Mormon men in town who don’t want trouble with the mobs who might mistake them for those outcast Mormon citizens. They plan to form a safety committee to prevent this. Melissa doesn't like the idea and again pleads with her husband to start packing so they can join the rest of her family but Carl insists they will be fine. They’re staying. Meanwhile, out on the trail, Brigham, acting very out-of-character for a prophet of God, continues to push Joshua to conversion. Tells him to go pray, force an answer from the Lord and if nothing comes, he’ll never bring up the subject of baptism again. Joshua agrees and leaves to take a walk, alone.

Chapter 27- Joshua does pray, sincerely and…nothing. He returns to camp, discouraged and quietly apologizes to Caroline who does her best to hide her disappointment. Next morning, Joshua wakes in a good mood. He observes the harmony of all his clan’s family units: preparing breakfast, caring for children, tending to their chores and gets warm fuzzies. Watering the oxen at the creek by himself, Savannah appears with her bucket, singing a song he’s never heard but recognizes the tune as “Olivia’s Song.” He makes his presence known, tells his nine-year-old daughter how proud he is of her, and leaves. Thinking she’s alone, Savannah resumes her own rendition of Yentl “Papa, can you hear me?” and Joshua has an epiphany: THE CHURCH IS TRUE! I MUST BE BAPTIZED SO I CAN BE WITH THESE PEOPLE FOREVER!

Chapter 28- Somebody fetch Brigham Young, we've got a baptism to perform! Gather the clan, call everyone in the camp so Joshua can share his conversion story and have your tissues ready because everyone is crying before Joshua has even concluded his story with his big announcement. But first, Savannah will favor us with her song again. Group hug! In white shirts, Nathan baptizes his older brother that evening while Brigham and the rest of the company look on approvingly. Joshua has taken the first step in his eternal progression in the gospel.

THE END